Birdfolk Council

The Birdfolk Council was originally established in Song 415 when the founding member Ava Windsweft established the council along with representatives from the other four clans. The council was quick to act when first created to sign the Humblefolk Treaty with leaders from towns and villages across the Wood. In the aftermath of the Great Calamity, the council responded to the disaster by opening Alderheart as a home for the refugees. The council meets in the Council Chambers which are housed in the Canopy level of Alderheart. If you are looking for an audience with the council, be prepared to wait in long lines unless you have an invitation. Invitations can be obtained directly from the council as a summons or as a recommendation from a magistrate of a perch or village. If you're interested in watching the council in action, a public gallery allows citizens and visitors to watch some of the proceedings, though not all council meetings are open to the public.
The current makeup of the Birdfolk Counil includes Bita of Brackenmill the Council Speaker, Cryx of The Avium, Serra Voss of Saltar's Port, Oakly Sprigg of Marshview, and Talwyn Yarrow of Alderheart.

Legislative Branch

The legislative body of the Birdfolk Council is the council itself. It is made up of five seats, each representing different perches throughout the Wood. Perchs that have a seat on the Birdfolk Council include Brackenmill, The Avium, Saltar's Port, Marshview, and Alderheart. Perches that reach sufficient size and wealth can apply to have a seat added, but the Council tends to make these changes slowly, if at all.

Council Speaker

The Council Speaker is chosen from among the five members of the Birdfolk Council. In the past, this has caused tensions, but ever since Speaker Gunnal Drybeak was voted out of office by his peers for abuse of his position in Song 588, Speakers have been exceptionally careful to give an impression of impartiality. The Council's Speaker wields veto power that they are expected to use rarely and wisely. Speakers serve for as long as they continue to represent their perch, so those nominated are heavily scrutinized and must meet a very high standard.

Judicial Branch

The highest court in the Wood is the Birdfolk Council itself. Anyone in Humblewood can request an audience with the Council to suggest changes to laws, report on problems, or seek resolutions of legal disputes. However, the wait to see the Council can be long as the Council members are often busy with the day-to day tasks of governance. Two hours are set aside each day when at least one Council member is avaliable to see petitioners. Urgent and major disputes are scheduled before the full Council, and outcomes are decided upon based on evidence and witness testimony. In such cases, the Speaker has the final say should the rest of the Council not be able to come to a conclusion.

Arbiters

Arbiters settle legal disputes. They are appointed by the Council based on their understanding of the laws of the Wood and the quality of their character. While they enforce the laws of the Wood as set by the Council and Magistrates, they are expected to remain independent from political concerns. Arbiters are not assigned to a single location. Instead, they move throughout the Wood, visiting perches on an irregular schedule. This is intended to prevent bribery, as those seeking justice won't know who will hear their case until the last moment. When disputes cannot be resolved satisfactorily by an Arbiter, it goes before the Birdfolk Council for judgement.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch of the Birdfolk Council is overseen on a local level by Magistrates and Officials.

Magistrates

Each perch has one Magistrate elected into office by the folks who live there. Magistrates answer directly to the Birdfolk Council. They serve as local lawmakers and law enforcement overseers in their perch. Magistrates can only create new laws within their own town or village. Their power is further limited by the Council as the Council must approve each proposed law before it can be enforced.
Magistrates are elected every three songs, and the most successful candidates must compaign tirelessly to maintain their positions. If you pass a Magistrate on the street, be sure to treat them with respect. Their word alone can get you into or out of a lot of trouble.

Officals

Officials are the lowest-ranked officers within the government of the Wood. They are responsible for many of the day-to-day operations that are the unglamorous but essential background of life in Humblewood. Small perches typically have one or two Officials, while a city like Alderheart has hundreds. THeir duties range from tax collection to approving new shaping requests. Within larger perches, Officials also have a secondary role, representing smaller districts within the settlement. The Officials of a settlement advise its Magistrate. Officials can also petition Magistrates to amend city codes or laws based on input from folks in their districts.

Religion

There is no official religion of the Birdfolk Council. All of the Amaranthines of Humblewood are allowed to be worshiped as there is a right to freedom of religion.

Laws

Treeharm

One of the most frowned upon actions, Treeharm, the act of cutting or carving into the living wood of the Evertree is a punishable offense. Whether you're a citizen or a visitor, anything from sticking a blade into the bark to pulling healthy leaves from the tree is illegal. While the Perch Guard understands that accidents can happen and tend to be lenient with visitors who did not intend harm, you can expect to be saddled with a heavy fine or time in the gaol if anyone catches you intentionally harming the Evertree. Treeharm crimes are mostly committed by smugglers looking to create secret tunnels into and out of the city through the trunk and roots.

Brandishing Weapons

Brandishing a weapon within the city limits is a sure way to get a guard's attention, and you can bet they'll intervene before you can do anything with it. The city has enough Fortune Seekers passing through that the Perch Guard hasn't outlawed carrying weapons outright, but arms should be kept in a sheath or stowed on your person, if possible, to avoid drawing attention.

Magic Use

It is wise for spellcasters to keep spell focuses stowed as the City Watch is aware that magic can be more dangerous than a dozen swords. Casting offensive spells will quickly draw the attention of the City Watch. Many guards receive training from experts at The Avium to be able to swiftly recognize offensive spells from vocalization, gestures, and components being used. Even when casting non-combat spells, casting slowly and deliberately is encouraged, as it's a good way to signal that you don't mean harm.

Education

Folks in Alderheart are passionate about education, and the city boasts several schoolhouses. These publicly-funded centers provide education for children. Many families supplement this with teachings by family members or paid tutors. This "nest tutoring" is particularly widespread among Canopy and Trunk dwellers, covering everything from clligraphy to fencing.
Extra education is less formalized in the Roots. There, grotkenners often lead groups of young folk on learning walks, telling tales of the past and warning of lurking dangers. Children in the Roots sometimes take such advice more as an encouragement to go adventuring than as a warning.
Once young folk graduate from basic education, the city's guilds provide apprenticeships for those eager to learn a trade, giving young folks a way to learn a profession and serving as a pathway to full guild membership in time. For those looking to teach themselves, the city is also home to several high-quality public libraries with books on every subject and tools to learn countless arts and skills. Alderheart is also home to many private scholars, scribes, and mages who offer their services as researchers or tutors in their specialist subjects.
Folks from far and wide send their children to Alderheart to attend the city's public schools. Across the Wood, you'll find officials at every level who completed their studies in Alderheart. Between public schools, apprenticeship and tutors, i'ts no surprise that a good portion of folks who journey to the Great Tree City from the smaller woodland villages come in search of knowledge. Students with sufficient determination and aptitude can continue their studies at the Avium, Humblewood's seat of higher learning.

Capital

Alderheart

Government System

Democracy, Representative

Economic System

Mixed economy

Legislative Body

1. The Birdfolk Council
2. Speaker of the Council

Judicial Body

1. Birdfolk Council
2. Arbiters

Executive Body

1. Magistrates
2. Officials

Official Languages

• Birdfolk

Controlled Territories

• Alderheart

Notable Members

• Gregor Thonspur